The Submarine Boys and the Middies | Page 4

the parent boat."
"Parent boat?" interjected Hal Hastings, with his quiet smile. "You
might call it the 'Dad' boat, so to speak."
Mr. Farnum laughed, then continued:
"A naval crew will take possession of the 'Pollard,' and the craft will
proceed, under the care of the Dad boat"--with a side glance of
amusement at Hal--"to the United States Naval Academy at
Annapolis."
"Annapolis--where they train the naval cadets, the midshipmen, into
United States Naval officers? Oh, how I'd like to go there!" breathed
Captain Jack Benson, eagerly.
"As a cadet in the Navy, do you mean?" asked Mr. Farnum.
"Why, that would have been well enough," assented Jack, "before I had
such a chance in your submarine service. No; I mean I'd like to see
Annapolis. I'd like to watch the midshipmen at their training, and see

the whole naval life there."
"It's too bad every fellow can't have his wish gratified as easily,"
continued Jacob Farnum.
"Do you mean we're going to Annapolis, too?" asked Jack Benson, his
eyes glowing. Even Hal Hastings sat up straighter in his chair,
watching the shipbuilder's face closely.
"Yes," nodded Jacob Farnum. "Permission has been granted for me to
send our second boat, the 'Farnum,' along with the 'Pollard'--both under
the care of the--"
"The Dad boat," laughed Hastings.
"Yes; that will give us a chance to have the 'Farnum' studied most
closely by some of the most capable officers in the United States Navy.
It ought to mean, presently, the sale of the 'Farnum' to the
Government."
"That's just what it will mean," promised Captain Jack, "if any efforts
of ours can make the Navy men more interested in the boat."
"You three youngsters are likely to be at Annapolis for some time,"
went on Mr. Farnum. "In fact--but don't let your heads become too
enlarged by the news, will you?"
Hal, quiet young Hal, neatly hid a yawn behind one hand, while
Benson answered for both:
"We're already wearing the largest-sized caps manufactured, Mr.
Farnum. Don't tempt us too far, please!"
"Oh, you boys are safe from the ordinary perils of vanity, or your heads
would have burst long ago. Well, then, when you arrive at Annapolis,
you three are to act as civilian instructors to the middies. You three are
to teach the midshipmen of the United States Navy the principles on
which the Pollard type of boat is run. There; I've told you the whole

news. What do you think of it?"
Mr. Farnum's cigar having burned low, he tossed it away, then leaned
back as he lighted another weed.
"What do we think, sir?" echoed Captain Jack, eagerly. "Why, we think
we're in sight of the very time of our lives! Annapolis! And to teach the
middies how to run a 'Pollard' submarine."
"How soon are we likely to have to start, sir!" asked Hal Hastings, after
a silence that lasted a few moments.
"Whenever the 'Hudson' shows up along this coast, and the officer in
command of her gives the word. That may be any hour, now."
"Then we'd better find Eph," suggested Captain Jack, "and pass him the
word. Won't Eph Somers dance a jig for delight, though?"
"Yes; we'd better look both boats over at once," replied Mr. Farnum,
picking up his hat. "And we'll leave word for Grant Andrews and some
of his machinists to inspect both craft with us. There may be a few
things that will need to be done."
As they left the office, crossing the yard, Captain Jack Benson and Hal
Hastings felt exactly as though they were walking on air. Even Hal,
quiet as he was, had caught the joy-infection of these orders to proceed
to Annapolis. To be sent to the United States Naval Academy on a tour
of instruction is what officers of the Navy often call "the prize detail."
Farnum and his two youthful companions went, first of all, to the long,
shed-like building in which the third submarine craft to be turned out at
this yard was now being built. From inside came the noisy clang of
hammers against metal. The shipbuilder stepped inside alone, but soon
came out, nodding. The three now continued on their way down to the
little harbor. All of a sudden the three stopped short, almost with a jerk,
in the same second, as though pulled by a string.
At exactly the same instant Jacob Farnum, Captain Jack Benson and

Engineer Hal Hastings put up their hands to rub their eyes.
Their senses had told them truly, however. While the "Pollard" rode
serenely at her moorings, the "Farnum," the second boat to be launched,
was nowhere to be seen!
"What on earth has happened to the other submarine?" gasped the
shipbuilder, as soon as he could somewhat control his voice.
What, indeed?
There